Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 12 "The Year 1917" [With score]

Composer: Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (25 September 1906 -- 9 August 1975)
Orchestra: Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Kirill Kondrashin
Symphony No. 12 in D minor (The Year 1917), Op. 112, written in 1961
00:00 - I. [Revolutionary Petrograd]*
12:38 - II. [Razliv]*
23:15 - III. [Aurora]*
27:07 - IV. [The Dawn of Humanity]*
*(All movements without intermission)
The Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112, was composed in 1960-1961 and is dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. Shostakovich programatically entitled it "The Year 1917", and the titles of the four movements have also reference to the events of that year:
1. Revolutionary Petrograd; 2. Razliv; 3. Aurora; 4. The Dawn of Humanity. The title of the second movement is the name of the place near which Lenin stayed in hiding, that of the third the name of the legendary battle cruiser "Aurora" whose broadside meant the starting shot of the Revolution, on October 25th, 1917.
The idea of a symphony with Lenin as subject had been on Shostakovich's mind for decades but he changed his plans several times. Lenin's death in 1924 became the decisive impulse. But it was only in 1940 that his future work assumed more concrete forms in his imagination; he conceived it as a symphonic vocal cycle in four movements: "The first movement will deal with Vladimir Ilyich's youth, the second with Lenin as the leader of the October Revolution, the third with Vladimir Ilyich's death, and the fourth with life without Lenin, but on his way, in his spirit. I already have a number of musical fragments which will be part of this work." Originally, the composer had planned to use excerpts from poetic text of his work; he also wanted to incorporate in his symphony popular songs about Lenin, but his plans were thwarted when World War II broke out.
Only twenty years later, Shostakovich resumed his interrupted work. In a broadcast on October 29th, 1960, he relates to the development of his work and his motivation: "I myself have been witness of the events of the October Revolution. I was one of those listening to Vladimir Ilyich on the square in front of the Finland Railway Station on the day of his arrival. And though I was quite young then, this has mad an indelible impression on my mind. My memories of these unforgettable days do of course help me in my work." The composer completed the full score of the symphony - meanwhile a merely instrumental one - on August 22nd, 1961.
The Twelfth Symphony was first performed on October 1st, 1961, in Leningrad, by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra; its first performance in Moscow, by the State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR took place two weeks later.
Original Audio: • Video

[@herpyderpy2869]

Friend: Classical music is just relaxing. Shostakovich: Fool...

[@ianw1976]

Stravinsky: Excuse me?????

[@sneddypie]

Rachmaninoff: the fuck you said

[@SelectCircle]

Me: - But mostly it's annoying because so cornball. : /

[@herpyderpy2869]

Funny how it tends to be Russian composers with the booming pieces lol

[@MuzhiLi]

Schnittke: *mischevious grin

[@ianw1976]

I can't get enough of the first movement. Incredible. I bet the Soviet Ministry of Culture loved this.

[@ob4161]

me too, its so epic

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Haha, i bet they did

[@skopvag3793]

Yes they did. The symphony was well received in Soviet Union. In the West had a poor reception and till this days 'remains among the less popular of Shostakovich's symphonies due to its workmanlike nature. '

[@arkazoo4769]

No, we actually thought it was kind of light on the effort. Dude seriously lucked out that Koba was gone by then while Nikita just didn't wanna bother himself with the music man.

[@skopvag3793]

@@arkazoo4769 "we actually thought" do you represent the whole west? also that referring to historical figures with their nicknames as if they were your uncles does not justify your arbitrary conclusions unless you refer to the Κoba from the planet of the apes that I suppose you met in the zoo but I can not understand what it has to do with Shostakovich... Ps if you have information about the rebellion of the evil monkeys, as a representative of the West you have a duty to inform us!

[@detectivehome3318]

Happy Birthday Shostakovich! Today it’s the 25th of September 2019!

[@emmamcallister1743]

@GOODSPEED LI Lucky indeed

[@lucasgust7720]

I don't understand why so many people think this is a lesser symphony, what the hell!!!

[@christopherthorkon3997]

I know -- they must be deaf or something.

[@littlewishy6432]

Those that do probably have some sort of political hindrance.

[@davidrehak3539]

Dmitrij Sosztakovics:12.d-moll ,,1917-es év'' Szimfónia Op.112 1.Petrográdi forradalom:Moderato - Allegro - Più mosso - Allegro 00:00 2.Razliv:Allegro (L'istesso tempo) - Adagio 12:38 3.Auróra:Adagio (L'istesso tempo) - Allegro 23:15 4.Az emberiség hajnalnán:Allegro (L'istesso tempo) - Allegretto - Moderato 27:07 Moszkvai Filharmonikus Zenekar Vezényel:Kirill Kondrashin

[@steventiger880]

Number 12 is sometimes described as Shostakovich's weakest symphony (no, that would be number 2 or 3), but I think its main problem is that it followed number 11, which is so powerful that even a fine work like this seems pale by comparison. Both symphonies show marvelous thematic integration, and following the score--thank you, Damon JHK--makes that even more evident. If 12 is weaker than 11, I'd say it is in the closing measures: the 11th closes with fury; the 12th, with bombast.

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

I think, at least in the west, that is also a political statement. The 11th, while first being looked down upon, has pretty much been rehabilitated because it's official program is a trick to pull wool over the soviet regimes' eyes. The 12th however has a program that really seems to idolize the 1917 revolution and Lenin. There have been some apologists who try to link the closing motive to how Stalin was portrayed in the 10th, thus claiming that the finale actually contains a hidden comment on how this "grand" revolution will end in misery and terror for the russian people.

[@jackrobinson5671]

I actually quite like the second (but not the third). I would say that the 12 is not so great, especially after hearing the tenth (haven't heard the 11th yet)

[@edwinduke48]

don't forget 10

[@angstybulbasaur1712]

I think nine was his most powerful. (A joke)

[@slubert]

@@jackrobinson5671 so how did you like the 11th?

[@soph6064]

somehow this is so underrated! like, 10 & 11 were absolutely beastly (in the best way) and that’s rough to follow, but this isn’t as bad as many make it seem!

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to synchronize the score with the music. I imagine that the task tried your patience more than once. :)

[@TheLogicBeast]

Thanks for posting the score. Anyone 'intellectually' dismissing all of this symphony should listen again to the section between 3'50 and 6'15. The simplistic skill in that build up is sublime. BTW, noticed a mistake in the 2nd flute part at 6'31. Should be C flat not natural. I'm not even a flautist - should go out more.

[@GentleGiantAudio]

That counterpoint at 4:15. TEARSso MOVING

[@snowcarriagechengcheng-hun3454]

Thanks for uploading!

[@mateushayasaka]

So much John Williams's inspiration here!

[@SelectCircle]

Never admit that you've listened to Williams.

[@rolandsquire6555]

This may not be Shostakovich's most profound or original symphony, but at a personal level I've always found it the most enjoyable.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Well noted. Many nations didn't create anything in a symphonic literature on this level.

[@SelectCircle]

You enjoy circuses?

[@ianw1976]

@@SelectCircle What?

[@SelectCircle]

@@ianw1976 This is circus music. ... Sorry to ruin it for you. : )

[@excuseyou7198]

@@SelectCircle bruh, that’s his 9th.

[@m.moonsie]

Why I get goosebumps

[@phoebedraper3046]

i like the 1st movement quite a bit. sounds similar to the finale of the 10th actually

[@vmineptune8236]

4:51 by far my favorite interpretation of the piece. So many orchestras take this movement too slow and it loses a sense of manic and direction.

[@WilfriedBerk]

19:29 clarinet solo

[@slateflash]

9:39 is the best part

[@ExtrackterYT]

These ad breaks kills me!

[@user-sx2hr5xk2v]

Thank you for Upload! I like Barshai's Shostakovich.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

Great

[@bringoawfuttery2525]

I like to imagine this is what Shostakovich would've wanted his 9th to sound like if it weren't for Stalin. But, I also imagine if could compose his 9th symphony without being suppressed by soviet rule, his 9th would have been much more experimental sounding

[@2906nico]

It works for me.

[@ViolinClassUSA]

there is a quote from the 11th symphony 6:55

[@dominicfiacco]

That's the fugue subject from the oppression section in the second movement.

[@mozartmahler61]

@@dominicfiacco You're right! This is the subject of the " slaughter fugue"

[@bellinivernon]

Que bien ... !

[@detectivehome3318]

I beg of you Damon! Where did you find the score of this legendary work?

[@Ivan_Preobragenskiy]

This score is from Soviet collection of Shostakovich's works in 42 volumes (1980). This is the volume 6. You can find it here:www.allclassica.com/video/17133/shostakovich-tom-6-simfonii-11-12-sobr-soch-v-42-tt-1979-pdf/ . I hope, this helps.

[@officaldungeons]

Shostakovich’s revolutionary music is getting scarily close to home...

[@SelectCircle]

Sadly - most patriots wouldn't understand what you mean even if they knew who Shosty is. : /

[@MsVaslav]

el acorde shostakovich en version simplificada

[@GentleGiantAudio]

My god. I forgot about my old friend Shostakovich.

[@ExtrackterYT]

The bar before "93" in the last movement (around 27:29) the Trumpet plays unison w the horns one bar early. Is it to "help" the horn's high note? The score indicates so since the Trumpet has paus.

[@slateflash]

They are correct. It's in 3/2

[@paulybarr]

Huh? The trumpets are silent before 93. Where are you talking about?

[@r1r_my_JJ]

@@paulybarr He is talking about the recording in the video, sounds like a trumpet played the later part of the horn section solo too, tho I don't think professional hornists would need help on high notes, not to mention this solo is in normal range of horn (high C or below)

[@celloplaysmusic7330]

26:20 You came for this Tannenburg anyone????

[@henrygingercat]

It's reputation certainly isn't great and though it hardly breaks new ground I think it's fine until the last movement which is a bit of a let down. Typically great Kondrashin performance.

[@themoonfleesthroughclouds]

is he ok

[@unnamed_boi]

25:59

[@isaackahn3614]

Let’s gooo comment 100

[@theend7339]

11:48 sounds very familiar

[@theend7339]

finally figured out that it was khachaturians piano concerto that sounded similar

[@cflhighlights9370]

@@theend7339 Thanks to your comment I have now discovered Khachaturian's Piano Concerto and love it.

[@soregina8529]

Is the best song i love the song

[@qwertyuiop-jf1lm]

Its piece not song. Songs have lyrics. Now please don't offend us classical musicians.

[@elisamorales3625]

2:24

[@hehehowjhdhjw-uz5fc]

3:49

[@lucasgust7720]

Oh, man, you did a great job putting the score, but what a bad performance! I wish you would have used Rostropovich's recording.

[@hehehowjhdhjw-uz5fc]

6:40

[@pabloseena8278]

9:46 11:47

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Love Kondrashin. But there are times better performances by now...

[@ewtshdgdgt4323]

19:00

[@OuwenH101]

1:11

[@alejandroperezortiz7553]

I think that its not that this simphony is bad, or that suffer side by side with the 10 and 11. I think that Shostakovich did this inconsistent simphony to represent what the russian revolution was like. Quite simple. First movement, fast, epic, powerfull. The other movements, are like a eternal dance of redundance, exactly as happened to the soviet revolution. With Lenin those first years was the emotion and the hope to move and change things, but then with Stalin... The things just went off and off... like i said, a eternal dance with no identity, just a large time with the same tonos, like someone thats is slowly dying... in silence. I think that there is the genious of Shostakovich, telling us a story without one single word.

[@notarbolz926]

Couldn't agree more.

[@sunfruit83]

im here because of twoset lol

[@elizabethenriquez3415]

why

[@alexprice9876]

@@elizabethenriquez3415 they talked about it in the misconceptions video

[@antiiubilaeum]

same

[@slubert]

I somehow believe that they meant to mention another symphony than the 12th... of all the symphonies why the 12th? Maybe they played it with an orchestra or something

[@Indie0204]

@@slubert they mention the 5th symphony as well

[@elizabethenriquez3415]

i like symphony 5 and 9

[@itamarbar9580]

So he likes Lenin?

[@dacoconutnut9503]

There's some controversy and discussion about Shostakovich's political views. While some defend that he hated socialism and communism (based on a testament atributed to him), some say that his symphonic works were patriotic hymns for the glory of Russia. Fact is, there is no consense, whether about the veracity of the testament, whether about what he thought of the Soviet regime. He might have liked Lenin, or not. It's complicated to say, since he had Jewish origins and was born in a bourgeois family. At least, we are sure that, whatever his political views, he couldn't stand Stalin (note: this doesn't imply he also refused Lenin completely) and, as an artist, he was patriotic, doing what he could to turn his homeland a better place. Throughout his life, he had many unpleasant moments with the regime, especially with Josef and Nikita Kruschev. His work went to the shadows twice, and his 13th symphony wasn't well regarded by Kruschev (because of Babi-Yar). Anyway, we can't define yet what was his political orientation. Although many of his works were made to celebrate the events that happened in/for Soviet Russia, it is important to remember that he was kind of compelled to it.

[@juancarlosgarciagonzalez3971]

You have to read what Shostakovich said about the working class, about the class struggle, about the role of the working class, about the fight against fascism and capitalism, beyond desperate attempts ("daily" and "" friends´´ who draw opinions that contradict clearly everything Shostakovich said and did throughout his life) of the apologists of capitalism to make it capitalist or anti-Soviet, simply ad hoc inventions, inventions of a very low intellectual taste , it is very easy to read what he wrote and listen to what Shostakovich said about the class struggle, only with that all the fantasies of the bourgeoisie that try to pass as their own to a full-fledged intellectual who was never a Russian nationalist or capitalist, are dismantled, he was internationalist, he was antifascist, communist but like all intelligent people I criticize, I especially criticize the Stalin period, but even at the moments of the Stalin period clearly and shostakovich support without any kind of reservation more than stalin to the revolution and the soviet power against the nazi war machine, very critical of stalin but always loyal and honest with the working class and with the social transformation, critical yes, but faithful to the revolutionary principles of October and let's say faithful in its own way to Lenin's legacy.

[@dacoconutnut9503]

@@juancarlosgarciagonzalez3971 where and when did he say that

[@juancarlosgarciagonzalez3971]

@@dacoconutnut9503 You have several speeches and also with images and piano included presenting his leningrado symphony, he is near his piano and explains the reasons why he wrote that work, it is very easy you just have to listen to shostakovich, there are images, phrases and texts where the Shostakovich himself is in the SOVIET firefighter's uniform And he speaks again and it is very, very clear that he is a Soviet, whether you like it or not, it is very simple Shostakovich was collecting awards and honorable mentions, such as Lenin's medal and I'm sorry friend, I take that medal with great pride and in each ceremony there was a speech and some opinions, it is more Shostakovich traveled to several countries and did exactly the same for example he was in Filand, saying very clearly which is his side, it is very clear , I find it very dirty, crawling and low when a man is dead to talk about "his ideas", the problem with shostakovich is that he never sold, the problem with shostakovich is that n or it was not a nationalist, and the problem with shostakovich is that although they tempted him to change sides he told you a resounding NO: he never intended to leave the Soviet union and those truths hurt, those truths are very painful for some scholars, I repeat the The 'brave' who now speak of Shostakovich's ideology perhaps should have been '' brave '' when he was alive, who find people who do not like that Shostakovich's ideology does not mean that they have the right to manipulate life and shostakovich's work, it seems that the truth hurts ... It is surreal dmitri shostakovich has all the medals, decorations, distinctions and even military in the communist party, it is very easy to read the speeches of all those events because they were not only during the Stalin era, Shostakovich had been collecting those medals, merits and distinctions of the Soviet state for years and years, decades and decades with different leaders and the ti It is very easy to read, read Shostakovich's own words for 40 years when he spoke in his country and outside his country, I highly recommend that you read the speech after picking up with his honor the Lenin medal, document before talking, looking for old newspapers and old press clippings is very simple, you also have it very easy, you have Soviet and foreign press, it is surreal precisely Shostakovich I travel outside the Soviet Union as a Soviet cultural ambassador, he is surreal Shostakovich was critical as every intelligent person with all that that he did not like (and it is true that he did not like things) but only in the wet dreams of the capitalist apologists can it be said that shostakovich was not a communist, a Russian nationalist shostakovich? Russian patriot? It is laughable he did works to the Jews against the programs against the Jews, he was an internationalist, if you do not have knowledge of the Russian language, find a translator and get informed, you have newspapers and newspaper articles with all the times that Shostakovich accepted, defended and even had charges and political functions in Soviet cultural institutions. Shostakovich criticized yes, disloyal to the Soviet people never, only in the wet dreams of some who could not twist the will of shostakovich in life and who now after death are great connoisseurs of shostakovich.

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

To add to the discussion: It's likely Shostakovich supported Lenin. Keep in mind that both his parents supported the revolution, and he benefited from Lenin's NEP in the 1920s as an experimental avant-garde artist, as movements such as futurism, structuralism, and formalism were promoted then. Shostakovich admired and worked with artists who participated in such movements, such as Mayakovsky. He never took much of an interest in political theory, and preferred to keep his politics to himself. We know he wanted to write a symphony about Lenin for a long time as well. The fact that he hated Stalin is very clear- we have the satirical piece, the "Antiformalist Rayok" as proof of that. As for "Testimony," I'm not going to get into the details there, because that's an essay on its own, but let's just say it's not considered a credible source. It's also important to keep in mind what Lenin represented to people in the USSR, as well as the fact that he was idolized as a larger-than-life figure, similar to George Washington in the United States. As long as his wrongdoings were covered up, a figure like Lenin was easy to look back to in times of political distress, providing a sense of ideological hope. (This would contribute to the widespread disillusionment experienced during glasnost decades later). In fact, Shostakovich's "outdated" views made him unfavourable with younger dissidents in the 60s and 70s, although to be fair, there was a lot they didn't understand about him- they criticized him for not helping other dissidents, but his health was failing as he approached his final years, and when he did help others (which was VERY often), he preferred not to say anything about it.

[@ferdinandhuber1763]

OMG some parts sound like Star Wars Themes

[@armankarimipur3654]

Star Wars themes sounds like some parts of symphony

[@samuelg.feinbergcomposer5452]

The last of Shostakovich's good symphonies.... pure orchestra, and no choir. A lot better that way.

[@ownificationify]

Western audiences don’t get Soviet era music or their context as well as they should. It’s weird the the American state departments agenda even pushes deep into the world of classical music. Especially pieces commissioned by the state!

[@Queeen7q]

I adore executions in music. In the 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th symphonies of Shostakovich :))) If I were a conductor and were conducting such Shostakovich's music, all the pregnant women in the hall would have miscarriages.

[@Queeen7q]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3XFlal9etSkpq8 Soviet cartoon "The 25th - the First Day" ("25-е Первый День") Shostakovich entered in my life when I was 5 or 6, when I saw this cartoon. That was a state holiday - the anniversary of October Revolution, the 7th of November of 1980 or 1981, maybe. With this cruel music - but at that time i did not understand what is that symphony. TV showed such cartoons every year.

[@SelectCircle]

The commercial breaks actually improve the listening experience.

[@wolfgangknuth104]

Ich kenne keine andere Symphonie, in der ein Thema - ein Motiv - so peinvoll zu Tode geritten wird und dadurch eine völlig "entbeinte" Musik hinterlässt. In meinen Ohren eine komponierte Ruine voll hohler Pathetik - absichtlich dem repressiven System um die Ohren geschlagen. Für mich die genial ins Groteske gesteigerte, höchst tragische Fortsetzung von Schostakowitschs Fünfter.

[@notarbolz926]

Sehr zutreffend analysiert. Schöner hätte man es nicht formulieren können.

[@ronaldbwoodall2628]

If this symphony were the only one of Shostakovich's works I had heard, I would have no idea how great a symphonist - and composer - he was. It is the only one of his symphonies that has the capability of boring me. Even though it is expertly crafted and orchestrated, it is also banal, lacking both soul and spirit. I'm sure however that he was making a cogent point, an empty gesture with meaning, a tongue-in-cheek evasiveness to indicate that Lenin's legacy was no greater than the quality of this score.

[@thejerbil555]

I think communism finally got to him. Their tenet is to destroy the individual. Good job, guys.

[@sneddypie]

yes, this is not one of his better works

[@adigozelov-enjoyer]

I mean, he composed this in a matter on days after scrapping another idea...

[@christianwouters6764]

Dedicated to the evil spirit of Lenin. Was this meant ironically by the composer or was he really an admirer ? Imagine someone now composing sth dedicated to Hitler . Anyway , it sounds as a bombastic film score.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

What a stupid comment. Neither. Obviously.

[@camillehocde8195]

Lenin isn't Stalin

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

@Thomas Daley I agree. We can be certain Shostakovich did not support the Communist Party, though- we have accounts from both his son and close friends on how much joining the Party in 1960 pained him, the main reason being that he did not support violence. But yes, it is likely he supported Lenin.

[@MrErsamo]

To fully understand the composer's tortured relationship with the Soviet state, I suggest reading the 2004 book "Shostakovich and Stalin: The Extraordinary Relationship Between the Great Composer and the Brutal Dictator," by Solomon Volkov, who co-wrote Shostakovich's memoir

[@bobschaaf2549]

It's heartening to see the bad assessment of this symphony, even by Shostakovich lovers. It's bland, repetitive and featureless, sounding like little more than exhaustion. With the great nos. 14 and 15 coming up, the work is dismissible. DS wasn't all gold, nor did he have to be.

[@looney1023]

Don't forget the great 13 :)

[@sneddypie]

yes this is one of his worse symphonies, but i think its wonderful in its own right

[@ha3vy]

1st movement is even though nothing ground breaking pretty pleasant to listen. Good thematic material and orchestration

[@OMurchadha]

I'll be honest, while far from bad players, this recording is garbage. Thank you so much to Damon JHK for synchronizing the score, but it was tough to listen to in places. I think as much as anything, the recording process killed this; the lows were inaudible, the highs entirely too present; it sounds like there's a single mic on the conductor's stand. I'm not sure if it's more that or the players making some of the playing sound very harsh, but it's not all the recording; some of the players are not exactly refined. All in all, this sounds very...Soviet...in a bad way.

[@xiaolanliu1786]

Yawn............

[@scotttisdel138]

Wow. Bad performance of a bad symphony.

[@christopherthorkon3997]

Please do a better one and then upload it so we can all enjoy it.

[@leoalex2001]

This may not be the greatest symphony by shostakovich but never ever is this a bad performance.

[@sneddypie]

good performance of a wonderful symphony. not shostakovich's best, but still wonderful in its own right.